Transmission synchronizer



Nov. 19, 1940. P. ORR

TRANSMISSION SYNCHRONIZER Filed Aug. 5, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 Shets-Sheet 2 N www KMN Q Www M P. ORR

Filed Aug. 5, 1958 ./Dca'nz @ma TRANSMISSION sYNcHRoNIzER Patented Nov. 19, 1940 TRANSMISSION syNcnnoNlzEa Palmer Orr, Muncie, Ind., assignor to Borg- Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill.. a corporation oi' Illinois Application August 5, 1938, Serial No. 223,153 14 claims. (o1. isms) This invention relates to synchronizing change speed gear transmissions as the type employed, for example in motor vehicles, wherein there is provided means for effecting synchronization i of a pair or pairs of torque transmitting members preparatory to connecting said members in positive drive engagement with each other by means of an axially movable jaw clutch element.

1G The invention is particularly directed to synchronizing transmissions of the type wherein the synchronizing means comprises friction clutch elements adapted to become drivingly engaged with each other in the initial stage of 15 shifting movement, as a result of axial thrust transmitted to one of such elements from the movable jaw clutch element, and hrs as its primary object to provide, in such a mechanism, novel and improved blocker mechanism for 20 preventing the positive drive engagement of the members prior tothe time that synchronization is effected.

In conventional blocker synchcronizers, the movable friction clutch elements are provided 25 with peripheral, radially projecting iobstructions, sometimes in the form of teeth, between which must pass spaced portions, such as the positive clutch teeth of the movable clutch element, befcie such clutch teeth can become en- 3 gaged with their coacting clutch elements.

'I'he present invention contemplates the embodiment of positive blocking means which does not require the use of the blocker teeth on the movable friction clutch element. To this end, the invention contemplates an arrangement in which a locking element, extending radially through the hub member in which a movable friction clutch element is mounted for axial sliding movement and hunted circumferential o movement or lost motion, is adapted to be forced outwardly by a cammed region of said movable friction clutch element as a result of biasing of said friction clutch element to one limit of its lost motion connection under initial engagement of said friction clutch element with its coacting friction clutch element, and is adapted to engage the movable jaw clutch element, when thusforced outwardly,

o so as to lock the same against axial movement. When synchronization is eected, the movable friction clutch element is adapted to move toward the other limit of its lost motion connection; thereby releasing the bolt and l 55 allowing the same to be moved to an inoperative position by the axial pressure of the movablejaw clutch against its outer end.

The above and other objects, advantages and uses of my invention will become apparent from a reading of the -following specication and' 5 claimstaken in connection with the appended drawings which form a part of the specification and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an axial sectional view of a synchronizing transmission embodying the lnvention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken as indicated by the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an axial sectional view of a modiiied form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the same, taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view o! another modication of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an axial sectional view of another modication of the invention; and

'Fig. '1 is a transverse sectional view of the same taken as indicated by the line 'l-l oi Fig. 6.

As illustrative of one form in which the invention may be embodied, I have shown in Fig. l, a portion of a synchronizing transmission including a torque transmitting member i0 forming the rear end of the drive shaft 30 of the transmission, and torque transmitting members, including the driven shaft ii, piloted as at i2 in the member i0, and the hub member I3, splined as at i4 on the driven shaft El. Positive drive connection may be established between the torque transmitting members i0 and il, or between a reduction geared, torque transmitting member i5 and the member il, by an axially movable jaw clutch element i6 adapted to be shifted by a shifting 40 fork I1 into positive clutching engagement with clutch teeth i8 formed on the torque transmitting member i0, or clutch teeth i9 formed on the torque transmitting member i 5. To this end, the movable clutch element IIB is formed with internal clutch teeth 20, in sliding slied engagement with teeth 2l forming the periphery of the hub member i3, and adapted to engage the clutch teeth i8 or i9 when moved v axially.

'Ihe torque transmitting member I5 is driven at reduced speed by a pinion 22 on the driven shaft I0, through the medium of a conventional counter'shaft gear cluster including a gear 23 meshing with the pinion 22 and a gear 24 mesh- I5 ing with the gear I5. Upon being moved into clutching engagement with the clutch teeth I 8, the movable jaw clutch element I8 will receive rotation from the drive shaft I8 and transmit it directly through the hub I3 to the driven shaft II. Upon being moved in the opposite direction into clutching engagement with the teeth `I9, the movable clutch element I6 will receive rotation through the torque transmitting member I5 from the countershaft gear cluster 23, 24 and will transmit it through the hub member I3 to the driven shaft II.

In order to synchronize a torque transmitting member I0 or I5 with the hub I3, preparatory to establishing such clutching engagement. I provide a friction clutch facing 25, fixed in an axial depression 26 on one lside of the hub I3 and adapted to engage a coacting friction clutch face 21 formed on the torque transmitting member I0, and a facing a forming part of a movable synchronizer ring 28 adapted to engage a friction clutch face 32 formed on the torque transmitting member I5, The synchronizer ring 28 is L- shaped in cross-section, and vmounted in an axial recess 29 in the other side of the hub I3. .for limited circumferential movement relative thereto. Such limited circumferential movement is provided for by a. lost motion connection comprising headed securing elements 30 extended through circumferentially elongated slots 3I in the synchronizer ring 28 and secured in the hub I3 the movable jaw clutch element by means of a conventional poppet comprising a ball 33 caged in a radial cavity 34 in the hub I3 and urged by a spring 35, under compression between the ball 33 and the bottom of the cavity 34, into engagement with a rounded depression 36 in one of the teeth 20 of the movable jaw clutch element I6. An alternative arrangement for producing the biasing action is to provide for a constant slight engagement of the friction clutch faces through the medium of an intervening oil lm, which engagement may be provided for by a slight looseness in the lost motion connection 30, 3|.

In the periphery of the synchronizer ring 28 is a notch having cammed faces 31 adapted, when the synchronizer ring 28 is thus biased, to engage against the wedge-shaped inner end 33 of a locking bolt 39 which is slidable in a radical opening 40 in the periphery of the hub I3. The outer end of the locking bolt 39 is cammed or rounded as at 4I and adapted to engage in a rounded depression 42 in one of the teeth 20 of the movable `iaw clutch element I6, when the bolt 39 is forced outwardly as a result of the biasing of the synchronizer ring 28. The notch 42 is axially spaced from the notch 36. Preferablythere are a plurality of the locking bolts 39, as shown.

As a result of the engagement of the bolt 39 in the notch 42, the movable jaw clutch element I6 will be locked against axial advance relative to the hub I3 and synchronizer ring 28 until synchronization has been completed. As long as relative rotation exists between the synchronizer ring 28 and -its cooperating friction clutch face 32, the synchronizer ring 28 will be maintained in its biased position whereby the locking bolt 38 will be maintained in locking engagement with the movable jaw clutch element I6, blocking axial advance thereof into clutching engagement with the jaw clutch teeth I9. When synchronization. is reached, there will be a momentary reversal of the relative directions of rotation of the torque transmitting members, causing the synchronizer ring 28 to be oscillated toward its other limit of lost motion relative to the hub I3, and in -so doing,`it will allow the bolt 39 to recede radially inwardly under the camming action of the notch 42 against the rounded head 4I in response to axial urging of the movable jaw clutch element I3 by the fork I1. When, during such reversal, the parts arrive at the position shown in Fig. 2, the bolt 39 will release the movable jaw clutch element I6 and allow the same to advance into clutching engagement with the clutch teeth I8, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The hub I3 is axially slidable on the driven shaft II to allow the friction clutch facings25, 25a to be moved axially a slight amount so as to establish sufficient frictional engagement between the coacting clutch faces for synchronizing purposes. The bolt 39 may serve, in addition to its blocking function, as a thrust transmitting member for transmitting axial thrust from the movy 'is relied upon for transmitting axial thrust to the xed friction facing 25 for synchronizing in direct drive.

In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, both friction facings 25 and 25a are carried by movably mounted synchronizer rings 28, which are connected by tie rods 46 looselyv extended through circumferentially elongated slots 41a in the web of the hub I3. The ends of the tie rods 46 are secured in the synchronizer rings 28.

Locking bolts 39a, radially slidable in openings 40 in the rim of the hub I3, are provided at their inner ends with cam notches 41 in embracing relation to the tie rods 46. The outer ends of the bolts 39a are rounded to engage the cam notches 42 of the movable jaw clutch element I6, the same as in the preferred form of the invention. Biasing of either of the rings 28 causes the tie rods 46 to engage the cammed sides of the notches 41 so as to force the bolt 39a radially outwardly. Further than this, the operation is the same as in the preferred form described above, with the exception that the blocking function of the bolt 39a may apply to both instead of only one of the friction clutch facings 25, 25a.

In either form of the invention, the poppets 33--36 may be arranged in the same plane as the bolts 39 or 39a, and circumferentially intermediate the bolts as shown in Fig. 4, so as to engage in the same series of notches 42 as are engaged by the bolts 39 or 39a.

The poppets 33-36 may be eliminated entirely if desired, and the bolts 39 or 39a, as the case may be, may be arranged to perform a function of the poppets as well as their own function described above. To this end, the bolts 39 or 38a may be yieldingly urged radially outwardly by suitable spring means such as the leaf springs 48, secured to the rim of the hub I3 and engaging in notches 49 formed in the bolts 39 or 39a, as shown in Fig, 5, or by centrifugal force;

Instead of the bolt 39, the blocking means may, as shown in Figs. 6 and '1, take the form of a pair of balls 39h, the outer of which is adapted to engage the Lotch 2in the movable law clutch element I6, and the inner of which is adapted to engage the camming notch 31 in the synchrolnizer'ring 28.

Figs. 6 and 7, `show the invention as embodied in a type of synchronizing transmission in which the A:friction clutch elements instead of being `radially within theradius of the jaw clutch teeth VlI8, I9 and 20, are disposed I'radially beyond such jaw clutchteeth. In s uch an arrangement,` the friction facings 25," 25a may both be xedly mountedin a 'sleeve 50 which encircles the inner Y through axially elongated slots 56 in the sleeve 50. 'I'he coacting frictionfaces 21a and 32a may be formed on separate elements secured to the pinion22a and the gear l 5a respectively as shown.

The jaw clutch teeth I8a and I9a may be formed inside 'the radius of the friction faces 21a and 32a respectively as shown,-and adapted to be engaged by the teeth 20 of the movable jaw clutch sleeve 5 I which may be slidablysplined on the relatively small diameter hub I3a as shown. The hub I3a may in this case be fixed against axial movement by engagement at one end with the gear member I5a and at its other end with a retaining ring 60.

I claim:

1. In a synchronizing transmission, a pair of torque transmitting members to be synchronized, a movable jaw clutch element drivingly associated with one of said members and adapted to be moved into positive clutching engagement with a jaw clutch element drivingly associated with the other member, a movable friction clutch element having a rotary lost motion driving connection with said one member and adapted to be moved into frictional driving engagement with a. friction clutch element drivingly associated with said other member, and means acted upon by said movable friction clutch element adapted, when the latter is biased to one limit of its lost motion connection, to be radially projected into engagement with said movable jaw clutch element for locking said movable clutch elements together until synchronization has been eiected. y 2. In a synchronizing transmission, a pair of torque transmitting vmembers to be synchronized, one of said members comprising a hub having a rim, a movable jaw clutch sleeve encircling said rim, drivingly associated therewith and adapted to be .moved axially into positive clutching engagement with a jaw clutch element drivingly associated with the other member, a synchronizer ring disposed within said rim, having a lost motion driving connection with said' hub, and adapted to be moved axially into frictional driving engagement with a friction clutch element drivingly associated with said other member, and a bolt carried by said hub, engaged by said synchronizer ring, and adapted when the latter is biased to one limit of its lost motion connection, to be projected radially outwardly through said rim into a depression in the interior periphery of said movable jaw clutch sleeve for blocking axial advance thereof until synchronization has been eected.

3. A synchronizing transmission as dened in claim 2, wherein said synchronizer ring is provided with a peripheral cam surface adapted to engage the inner end Aof said bolt and exert a camming action thereagainst as a result of biasing movement of said synchronizer ring. q

4. A synchronizing transmission as defined in claim 2, .wherein said synchronizer ring is provided -with a peripheral, radially outwardly ilaring cam notch receiving the inner end of said bolt and adapted to exert a camming action thereagainst as a result of biasing movement of said synchronizer ring.

-5. A synchronizing transmission as deflned in claim 2, wherein said synchronizer ring carries a rigidly associated axially projecting element and ylli said bolt has at its inner end, a cam surface against which said projecting element is adapted to exert a cammingaction as a result of biasing movement of said synchronizer ring.

6. A synchronizing transmission as defined in 2o claim 2, wherein said synchronizer ring carries aV rigidly mounted axially projecting rod and saidl bolt has at its inner end a notch in which said rod is received,said notch having a cammed sidel against which said rod is adapted to exert a cam- 25 ming action as a result of biasing movement of said synchronizer ring.

'1. A synchronizing transmission as defined in claim 2, wherein said hub is axially shiftable relative to said other member and said bolt is adapted 2Q to lock said movable jaw clutch sleeve, synchronizer ring and hub together for axial movement as a unit until synchronization is effected.

8. A synchronizing transmission as define d in claim 2, wherein said depression is shaped so as I5 to exert a camming action on the outer end of said bolt when axial pressure is applied to said movable jaw clutch sleeve, whereby to urge said bolt inwardly.

9. A synchronizing transmission as defined in o claim 2, wherein said bolt has a cammed outer end against which said movable jaw clutch sleeve is adapted to exert a camming action when axial pressure is applied to said movable jaw clutch sleeve, whereby to urge said bolt inwardly.

10. A synchronizing transmission as deilned in claim 2, wherein said hub is axially movable relative to said other member, said transmission including a poppet for transmitting axial thrustl from said movable jaw clutch sleeve to said hub so as to initiate engagement between said friction clutch elements and produce said biasing action.

l1. A synchronizing transmission as defined in claim 2, including resilient means for urging said bolt into yielding engagement with said depres- 55 nection with said one member and adapted to be 70 moved into frictional driving engagement with a friction clutch element drivingly associated with said other member, and means acted upon by said movable friction clutch element adapted, when the latter is biased to one limit of its lost motion blocking axial advance thereof until synchronization has been effected, said one torque transmitting member being axially movable relative to the other-and said means being adapted to lock said one torque transmitting member and said movable clutch elements together for axial movement as aunit until synchronization is effected.

13. In a synchronizing transmission, a pair of torque transmitting members to be synchronized, a movable jaw' clutch element drivingly associated with one of said members and adapted to be moved into positive clutching engagement with a jaw clutch element drivingly associated with the other member, a movable friction clutch element having a rotary lost motion driving connection with said one member and adapted to be moved into frictional driving engagement with a friction clutch element drivingly associated with said other member, and means acted upon by said movable friction` clutch element adapted, when" the latter is biased to one limit of its lost ,motiony connection, to be radially projected into engagement with said movable jaw clutch element for blocking axial advance .thereof until synchronization has been effected, said one torque Itransmitting member being axially shiftable relative to the other, said transmission in cluding'a yielding breakaway connection between said movable jaw clutchelement and said one torque transmitting member for transmitting -a friction clutch element drivingly associated axial thrust from the former to the latter for initiating engagement between said friction clutch elements so as to produce said biasing action.

14. In a synchronizing transmission. a pair of l torque transmitting members to be synchronized. a movable jaw clutch element drivingly .associated with one of said members' and adapted to be. moved into positive clutching engagement with a jaw clutch element drivingly associated l0 with the other member, a movable friction clutch element having a rotary lost motion driving connection with said one member and adapted to be moved into frictional driving engagement with i5 with said other member, and means acted upon by said movable friction clutch element adapted, when the latter is biased to one limit of its lost motion* connection, to be radially projected into engagement with said movable jaw clutch element for blocking axial advance thereof until synchronization has been effected, said means being adapted to yieldingly engage said movable jaw clutch element at such times -as said movable friction clutch element is unbiased so as to yieldingly transmit axial thrust from said movable jaw clutch element to said movable friction clutch element for initiating engagement of the latter-with its coacting friction clutch element and thereby producing said biasing action.

Paume. 0R12.l 

